News
OUPD Arrests Man After Alleged Assault
By: WOUB Staff Writer
Posted on:
A Canfield man is in custody after being charged in connection with an alleged assault at Bird Arena on Monday.
James D. Howard was charged with burglary and having weapons while under disability, both felony offenses, by Ohio University police, according to a news release.
Police said that shortly before noon on Monday, police responded to the report of an assault at the arena near Richland Avenue.
“A male subject, later identified as James Howard, reportedly entered a staff member’s office at the arena, shoved the staff member, and attempted to strike him with a closed fist,” the release stated. “Howard then left campus and police were later advised he had told a friend he was going to buy a gun.”
Warrants were obtained for Howard’s arrest and other law enforcement agencies were notified to assist in locating Howard.
The suspect reportedly attempted to buy a firearm in Logan, according to police, and deputies from the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office searched the area. Howard was found to be “in possession of a shotgun for which he was purchasing ammunition,” the news release stated.
Howard was taken into custody and transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail on a $35,000 bond.
“The burglary charge stems from Howard’s alleged assault of the staff member, while the weapons under disability charge results from his possession of a firearm after a previous involuntary admission to a mental health facility,” the police department said in the release.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of 13 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Along with OUPD and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, the Athens Police Department, the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office and the Athens City Prosecutor’s Office assisted in the investigation.